Connect
← Return to Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Discussion
Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 5, 2023 | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
Thanks Debbie -- and I'm glad the 25 mg is working for you! I agree that taking things one day at a time is the best approach. Looking ahead and wondering how many months or years this is going to last is just too overwhelming.
I think it's just going to take some time for me. I was feeling very discouraged yesterday, but today was my best day yet. Still stiff and sore in the mornings, but this is the first day in almost six weeks that I didn't have significant leg pain. So maybe it's just taking the 15 mg of Prednisone a little longer to work. Given the side effects of long term Prednisone use, I really don't want to go over 15 mg a day if I can help it. I already have osteoporosis and don't want to make it worse. I'm trying to watch what I eat, get some light exercise every day -- and most importantly, keep my stress levels low, as stress seems to really make it a lot worse. Deep breathing exercises and meditation are very helpful. I used to go swimming at the local pool before the pandemic, and am thinking of returning -- they have a nice warm therapy pool there that I think would be very helpful.
I hope things continue to go well for you!
Replies to "Thanks Debbie -- and I'm glad the 25 mg is working for you! I agree that..."
Connect
I'm 79 with "extreme risk" osteoporosis and really didn't want to use prednisone, but the pain was too bad. Also was fearing the possible side condition and that the PMR might spread to my legs rather than being restricted to my upper arms and shoulders. Then I was given 15mg Prednisone, and waited. And waited. On the second day there was slight improvement in morning pain, and that was it. I'd made a bargain with the Devil, and gotten nothing from it.
It was a holiday weekend, so more than a week until I could reach my doctor. She upped the dose to 25mg on July 3rd. Next day, no change. Morning after that, there was noticeable additional flexibility and less pain. Two weeks later, I felt pretty much normal other than morning stiffness, and tapering has started. Last week I spoke to a city rheumatologist on the phone (July 27). She wants me tapering off as quickly as possible and spoke about methotrexate. But this was the thing that most surprised me. I made a comment "I guess I'll never mow the lawn again." (My assumption had been that PMR was triggered by over-doing.) Her response: "You're okay now. Go for it. Use it or lose it". At the start of the month I had to wear jeans because I couldn't handle the elastic in sweatpants. Couldn't pull up blankets. Slid out of bed because I couldn't use my arms. Oh.
So... my guess is that if you take a larger dose now, you might be done with prednisone sooner and you'd feel a whole lot better. No guarantees, of course, but right now I'm downright optimistic.